DNA Thermal Denaturation Studies Research Articles

Mitochondriotropic agents conjugated with NSAIDs through metal ions against breast cancer cells

Two copper(I) polymorphs of formula [Cu(SALH)(TPP)3] (1a and 1b) were prepared by the conjugation of the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) salicylic acid (SALH2) with the mitochondriotropic agent triphenylphosphine (TPP) via metal ion. For comparison, the isomorph [Ag(SALH)(TPP)3] (2) was prepared. The conjugates 1a, 1b and 2 were characterized by melting point (m.p.), Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The crystal structures of 1a, 1b and 2 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction crystallography (XRD). The ex vivo binding affinity of 1–2 towards CT (calf thymus)-DNA was studied by UV, fluorescence, viscosity and DNA Thermal Denaturation studies. Their inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase (LOX) (an enzyme which is mainly located in the mitochondrion) was determined. The in vitro activity of 1–2 was evaluated against human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (hormone depended (HD)) and MDA-MB 281 (hormone independent (HI)) cells. Compounds 1–2 inhibit stronger than cisplatin the cancerous cells. The molecular mechanism of action of 1–2 was suspected by the MCF-7 cells morphology and confirmed by DNA fragmentation, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) Staining and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization tests.

Synthesis, DNA binding and biological evaluation of benzimidazole Schiff base ligands and their metal(ii) complexes.

Two novel benzimidazole ligands (E)-2-((4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)phenylimino)methyl)-6-bromo-4-chlorophenol (L1) and (E)-1-((4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)phenylimino)methyl)naphthalene-2-ol (L2) with their corresponding Cu(ii), Ni(ii), Pd(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes were designed and synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental, IR, and NMR (1H & 13C) spectral analyses. Molecular masses were determined by ESI-mass spectrometry, and the structure of ligand L1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Molecular docking was carried out for the theoretical investigation of DNA binding interactions. The results obtained were verified experimentally by UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy in conjunction with DNA thermal denaturation studies. It was observed that ligands (L1 and L2) and complexes (1-8) were moderate to strong DNA binders, as evident from the binding constants (K b). The value was found to be highest for complex 2 (3.27 × 105 M-1) and lowest for 5 (6.40 × 103 M-1). A cell line study revealed that breast cancer cells were less viable to the synthesized compounds compared to that of standard drugs, cisplatin and doxorubicin, at the same concentration. The compounds were also screened for in vitro antibacterial activity for which complex 2 showed a promising broad-spectrum effect against all tested strains of bacteria, almost in the proximity of the reference drug kanamycin, while the rest of the compounds displayed activity against selected strains.

Capecitabine as a minor groove binder of DNA: molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and multi-spectroscopic studies

The interaction mechanism and binding mode of capecitabine with ctDNA was extensively investigated using docking and molecular dynamics simulations, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, DNA thermal denaturation studies, and viscosity measurements. The possible binding mode and acting forces on the combination between capecitabine and DNA had been predicted through molecular simulation. Results indicated that capecitabine could relatively locate stably in the G-C base-pairs-rich DNA minor groove by hydrogen bond and several weaker nonbonding forces. Fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime measurements confirmed that the quenching was static caused by ground state complex formation. This phenomenon indicated the formation of a complex between capecitabine and ctDNA. Fluorescence data showed that the binding constants of the complex were approximately 2 × 104 M−1. Calculated thermodynamic parameters suggested that hydrogen bond was the main force during binding, which were consistent with theoretical results. Moreover, CD spectroscopy, DNA melting studies, and viscosity measurements corroborated a groove binding mode of capecitabine with ctDNA. This binding had no effect on B-DNA conformation.

Computational studies support the role of the C7-sibirosamine sugar of the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) sibiromycin in transcription factor inhibition.

The pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs) are a group of sequence-selective, DNA minor-groove binding agents that covalently attach to guanine residues. Originally derived from Streptomyces species, a number of naturally occurring PBD monomers exist with varying A-Ring and C2-substituents. One such agent, sibiromycin, is unusual in having a glycosyl residue (sibirosamine) at its A-Ring C7-position. It is the most cytotoxic member of the naturally occurring PBD family and has the highest DNA-binding affinity. Recently, the analogue 9-deoxysibiromyin was produced biosynthetically by Yonemoto and co-workers.1 Differing only in the loss of the A-Ring C9-hydroxyl group, it was reported to have a significantly higher DNA-binding affinity than sibiromycin based on DNA thermal denaturation studies, although these data have since been retracted.2 As deletion of the C9-OH moiety, which points toward the DNA minor groove floor, might intuitively be expected to reduce DNA-binding affinity through the loss of hydrogen bonding, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations on the interaction of both molecules with DNA over a 10 ns time-course in explicit solvent. Our results suggest that the two molecules may differ in their sequence-selectivity and that 9-deoxysibiromycin should have a lower binding affinity for certain sequences of DNA compared to sibiromycin. Our molecular dynamics results indicate that the C7-sibirosamine sugar does not form hydrogen bonding interactions with groups in the DNA minor-groove wall as previously reported, but instead points orthogonally out from the minor groove where it may inhibit the approach of DNA control proteins such as transcription factors. This was confirmed through a docking study involving sibiromycin and the GAL4 transcription factor, and these results could explain the significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of sibiromycin compared to other PBD family members without bulky C7-substituents.

Carriers for metal complexes on tumour cells: the effect of cyclodextrins vs CNTs on the model guest phenanthroline-5,6-dione trithiacyclononane ruthenium(II) chloride

The complex [Ru[9]aneS3(pdon)Cl]Cl (pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) was readily obtained from the stoichiometric reaction of Ru[9]aneS3(dmso)Cl2 with pdon. Recrystallisation in ethanol using salicylic acid as a co-crystallisation helper afforded single-crystals suitable for the collection of X-ray diffraction data which afforded a reasonable structural description. Two different kinds of molecular carriers were tested as vehicles for this complex: carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and cyclodextrins. CNTs had an insufficient loading rate for the ruthenium complex at CNT concentrations deemed non-cytotoxic on cultured cells. The cyclodextrin (CD) carriers, β-CD and TRIMEB (standing for permethylated β-CD), were able to form two adducts, studied by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), (13)C{(1)H} CP/MAS NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The DNA thermal denaturation studies showed that the complex 1 is able to intercalate with DNA. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the free complex [Ru[9]aneS3(pdon)Cl]Cl (1) and of its two CD adducts (2 and 3) was assessed on both rodent and human cell lines. By using the mouse K1735-M2 melanoma cell line and the non-tumour rat H9c2 cardiomyoblasts, the results showed that 1 and 2 significantly inhibited the growth of the tumour cell line while displaying a good safety profile on cardiomyoblasts. Compound 3 at 100 μM inhibited the proliferation of both cell lines, with a higher activity towards the melanoma cell line. The cytotoxicity of the compounds 1-3 was further assessed on human breast cancer cell lines. Against the MDA-MB-231 line, growth inhibition occurred only with 1 and 3 at the incubation time of 96 h, both with approximate inhibition rates of 50 %; against the MCF-7 line, mild cytotoxicity was observed at 48 h of incubation, with IC50 values calculated above 100 μM for 1, 2 and 3.

Study of SOD Mimic and Nucleic Acid Interaction Activity Exerted by Enrofloxacin‐Based Copper(II) Complexes

Five new copper(II) complexes of type [Cu(erx)(L)Cl] (erx, enrofloxacin; thiophene-2-carbaldehyde (L(1) ); pyridine-2-carbaldehyde (L(2) ); 2,2'-dipyridylamine (L(3) ); 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (L(4) ); bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L(5) )) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, reflectance, IR, and FAB-MS. Complexes have been investigated for their interaction with calf thymus (CT) DNA utilizing the absorption-titration method, viscometric and DNA thermal denaturation studies. The cleavage reaction on pUC19 DNA has been monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results indicated that the Cu(II) complexes can more effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA at physiological pH and superoxide dismutase. The (SOD) activity of the complexes has been evaluated by the nitroblue tetrazolium assay, and the complexes catalyzed the dismutation of superoxide at pH 7.8 with IC(50) values of 0.35-1.25 μM. The complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial activity against five pathogenic bacteria.

Synthesis and DNA-binding properties of 1,2,3-triazole-linked H-pin pyrrole- and imidazole-containing polyamides formed by the Huisgen reaction

Abstract Covalently linked pyrrole (Py)- and imidazole (Im)-containing H-pin polyamides bind in the minor groove of specific DNA sequences with high affinity. The synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-linked and heterodimeric H-pin polyamides 13a,b formed from the Huisgen reaction of an alkyne-containing f-PyPyPy (6) with an azide-containing f-ImPyIm (7) is reported. The reaction proceeded smoothly under thermal conditions to give an inseparable mixture of 1,4- and 1,5-isomers (13a and 13b, respectively) by column chromatography. When the reaction was conducted under ‘click’ or Cu(I)-catalyzed conditions or in the presence of the cognate DNA sequence, no desired product was observed. Preliminary results from DNA thermal denaturation and circular dichroism titration studies provided evidence of mixture 13a,b binding to the target DNA sequence 5′-TCTCAA-3′.

DNA- and RNA-binding and enhanced DNA-photocleavage properties of a ferrocenyl-containing ruthenium(II) complex

The interaction of [Ru(bpy) 2(fip)](PF 6) 2 {bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, fip = 2-ferrocenyl-1 H-imidazo[4,5- f][1,10]-phenanthroline} with calf thymus DNA and yeast tRNA was investigated comparatively by UV–visible absorption and luminescence spectrophotometric titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN) 6] 4 − , ethidium bromide competition experiment, DNA thermal denaturation, viscosity measurements and salt effect studies. The results suggest that the complex binds to the DNA more strongly than to the RNA. The density functional theory calculations were also carried out in order to better understand the nucleic acid binding properties. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the complex exhibited enhanced DNA-photocleavage capacity on pUC 18 plasmid DNA under irradiation at 360 nm as compared with a ferrocenyl-free analogous complex.

Synthesis, DNA-binding ability and anticancer activity of benzothiazole/benzoxazole–pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates

A series of benzothiazole and benzoxazole linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates attached through different alkane or alkylamide spacers was prepared. Their anticancer activity, DNA thermal denaturation studies, restriction endonuclease digestion assay and flow cytometric analysis in human melanoma cell line (A375) were investigated. One of the compounds of the series 17d showed significant anticancer activity with promising DNA-binding ability and apoptosis caused G0/G1 phase arrest at sub-micromolar concentrations. To ascertain the binding mode and understand the structural requirement of DNA binding interaction, molecular docking studies using gold program and more rigorous 2 ns molecular dynamic simulations using Molecular Mechanics-Poisson–Boltzman Surface Area (MM-PBSA) approach including the explicit solvent were carried out. Further, the compound 17d was evaluated for in vivo efficacy studies in human colon cancer HT29 xenograft mice.

Multispectroscopic DNA-binding studies of a tris-chelate nickel(II) complex containing 4,7-diphenyl 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

A tris-chelate nickel(II) complex, [Ni(DIP)3](NO3)2 · 3H2O in which DIP = 4,7-diphenyl 1,10 phenanthroline, was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (1H NMR and UV–vis) and elemental analysis techniques. Binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using emission, absorption, circular dichroism (CD), viscosity and DNA thermal denaturation studies. In absorption spectrum of the complex, as the concentration of DNA increased, appearance of an isobestic point proved the new [Ni(DIP)3]2+–DNA complex formation. The intrinsic binding constant (Kb = 4.34 × 104 M−1) is comparable to groove binding complexes. In fluorimetric studies, the dynamic enhancement constants (kD) and bimolecular enhancement constant (kB) were calculated and showed that the fluorescence enhancement was initiated by a static process in the ground state. Furthermore, the thermodynamic studies showed that the reaction is exothermic and enthalpy favored (ΔH = −58.41 kJ/mol). A strong CD spectrum in the UV and visible region develops upon addition of CT-DNA into the racemate solution of Ni(II) complex (Pfeiffer effect). This has revealed that a shift in diastereomeric inversion equilibrium takes place in the solution to yield an excess of one of the DNA complex diastereomers. Finally, all of the experimental results prove that the minor groove binding must be predominant.

Remarkable enhancement in the DNA-binding ability of C2-fluoro substituted pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepines and their anticancer potential

C2-Fluoro substituted DC-81, and its dimers that comprise of two C2-fluoro substituted DC-81 subunits tethered to their C8-position through simple alkane spacers as well as piperazine moiety side-armed with symmetrical alkyloxy spacers have been designed and synthesized. These fluoro substituted pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepines have shown remarkable DNA-binding ability and most of them possess promising anticancer activity, having GI 50 values in micromolar to nanomolar concentration range. DNA thermal denaturation studies show that some of these compounds ( 14a– c and 15) increase the Δ T m values in the range of 28.9–38 °C, and this is further confirmed by the restriction endonuclease studies. This study illustrates the importance of introducing fluoro substitution at the C2-position apart from the incorporation of a piperazine ring in between the alkyloxy linker for enhancement of the DNA-binding ability in comparison to DSB-120 and SJG-136 (Δ T m = 10.2 and 25.7 °C). Moreover, the variations in the DNA-binding ability with respect to fluoro substitution in this class of dimers has been investigated by molecular modeling studies. Some representative C2-fluoro substituted dimers ( 8a and 14a) have also exhibited significant anticancer activity in the 60 cancer cell line assay of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

DNA interaction studies of a platinum(II) complex, PtCl 2(NN) (NN = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), using different instrumental methods

The Pt(II) complex, PtCl 2(4,7-Me 2phen) (4,7-Me 2phen = chelating dinitrogen ligand: 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic ( 1H, 13C NMR) and elemental analysis techniques. Binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus (CT) DNA has been investigated by emission, absorption, circular dichroism, viscosity and DNA thermal denaturation studies. The complex displays significant binding properties to the CT DNA. In fluorimeteric studies, the binding mode of complex with CT DNA was studied by using methylene blue as a fluoresce probe. As evidenced by the increasing fluorescence of methylene blue–DNA solutions in presence of increasing amount of complex, PtCl 2(NN) complex is able to displace the methylene blue intercalated into DNA completely as to indicate intercalation. Furthermore, mentioned complex induces detectable changes in the CD spectrum of CT-DNA, an increase in T m value, and an increase in its viscosity. The experimental results showed that Pt(II) complex bound to DNA by an intercalative mode of binding.

Synthesis, DNA-binding ability and evaluation of antitumour activity of triazolo[1,2,4]benzothiadiazine linked pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates

A series of triazolobenzothiadiazine-pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates linked through different alkane spacers have been prepared. These compounds have exhibited significant cytotoxicity against most of the cell lines examined. Compound 5a displays GI 50 values from 1.83 to 2.38 μM against seven human tumour cell lines, and is identified as a promising lead compound from this series. Their DNA thermal denaturation studies have also been carried out, and one of the compounds 5c elevates the DNA helix melting temperature of the CT-DNA by 2.6 °C after incubation for 36 h.

DNA binding and oxidative cleavage activity of ternary ( l-proline)copper(II) complexes of heterocyclic bases

Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu( l-pro)(B)(H 2O)](NO 3) ( 1, 2) where l-pro = l-proline, B is a N,N-donor heterocyclic base, viz. 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy, 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), are synthesized, characterized, and their DNA binding and cleavage activity studied. The bpy complex ( 1) is structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes show the presence of a distorted square-pyramidal (4 + 1) CuN 3O 2 coordination geometry. Complex [Cu( l-pro)(bpy)(H 2O)](NO 3) ( 1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with unit cell parameters: a = 7.082(3) Å, b = 10.483(5) Å, c = 11.581(5) Å, α = 89.700(7)°, β = 83.488(8)°, γ = 84.109(8)° and V = 849.7(7) Å 3. The one-electron paramagnetic complexes display a d–d band near 600 nm in water and show a cyclic voltammetric response due to Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple near 0.1 V (versus SCE) in Tris–HCl buffer–0.1 M KCl. Binding interactions of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA have been investigated by emission, absorption, viscosity and DNA thermal denaturation studies. The phen complex displays significant binding propensity to the CT DNA giving an order: 2 (phen) ≫ 1 (bpy). The bpy complex does not show any apparent binding to the DNA and hence poor cleavage efficiency. Complex 2 shows efficient oxidative cleavage of SC-DNA in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) involving hydroxyl radical species as evidenced from the control data showing inhibition of DNA cleavage in the presence of DMSO and catalase.

1,2,4-Benzothiadiazine linked pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates: Synthesis, DNA-binding affinity and cytotoxicity

Benzothiadiazine–pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates linked through different alkane spacers have been prepared. These new classes of hybrid molecules exhibit cytotoxicity against many cancer cell lines. Their DNA thermal denaturation studies have been carried out and one of the compounds ( 4b) elevates the DNA helix melting temperature of the CT-DNA by 6.7 °C after incubation for 36 h.

Synthesis of a novel C2-aryl pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine-5,11-dione library: Effect of C2-aryl substitution on cytotoxicity and non-covalent DNA binding

A 23-member C2-aryl pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine-5,11-dione (PBD dilactam) library has been synthesized using Suzuki coupling, and the effect of base upon racemisation at the C11a-position during the cross-coupling reaction studied. Three library members ( 21, 30 and 33) were sufficiently cytotoxic in the NCI’s preliminary screen to warrant further evaluation, and one ( 30, R = p-Br) was found to be cytotoxic at the sub-micromolar level in the A498 renal cancer cell line. DNA thermal denaturation studies suggested that this activity may be associated with non-covalent DNA interaction, and also demonstrated that introductin of C2–C3 unsaturation and addition of C2-aryl functionalities to the PBD dilactam skeleton significantly enhanced helix stabilisation compared to the unsubstituted PBD dilactam ( 6).

Comparative Studies on the DNA-Binding Properties of Linear and Angular Dibenzoquinolizinium Ions

The interaction of the linear dibenzo[b,g]quinolizinium (5a) and the angular dibenzo[a,f]quinolizinium (6) with DNA was studied in detail in order to evaluate the influence of the shape of polycyclic quinolizinium ions on their DNA-binding properties. First, the synthesis and the thermally induced dimerization of 5a were reinvestigated because the preparation and isolation of the bromide salt of 5a according to literature procedures turned out to be problematic. The dibenzo[b,g]quinolizinium bromide [5a(Br)] tends to dimerize in solution with a highly selective and unprecedented formation of the corresponding anti-head-to-head dimer. Nevertheless, it was observed that careful exclusion of bromide ions from the reaction mixture suppresses the formation of the dimer. Moreover, the dimer may be transformed to the monomer by a remarkably rapid photoinduced electron-transfer reaction with 1-methoxynaphthalene. The association of 5a and 6 with nucleic acids was investigated by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric DNA titrations, CD and LD spectroscopy, DNA thermal denaturation studies, and competition-dialysis techniques. Both dibenzoquinolizinium ions 5a and 6 exhibit an intercalative mode of binding to double-stranded DNA with moderate binding constants (K = 1-7 x 10(5) M(-1)) and a slight preference for association with GC-rich DNA regions. The structures of the intercalation complexes were calculated by molecular modeling methods. Competition-dialysis studies reveal that the isomers 5a and 6 bind selectively to triple-helical DNA (poly[dA]-poly[dT]2) as compared to selected synthetic and native double-stranded nucleic acids. Notably, the selectivity of the linear dibenzo[b,g]quinolizinium 5a toward triplex DNA is higher than the one of the angular derivative 6. In contrast, the DNA thermal denaturation studies reveal a higher stabilization of triple-helical DNA in the presence of 6 (DeltaTm3-->2 = 28 degrees C at r = 0.5) as compared to the stabilization by 5a (DeltaTm3-->2 = 14 degrees C at r = 0.5). This comparison emphasizes the importance of the extended pi system for the interaction of annelated quinolizinium ions with DNA. Moreover, the comparison between 5a and 6 demonstrates the significant influence of the shape of the pi system on the duplex- and triplex-stabilizing properties of the dibenzoquinolizinium ions.

Synthesis and DNA-binding ability of pyrrolo[2,1- c][1,4]benzodiazepine-azepane conjugates

A series of pyrrolobenzodiazepine–azepane conjugates linked through different alkane spacers have been prepared and their DNA thermal denaturation studies have been carried out. One of the compound ( 4b), elevates the DNA helix melting temperature of the CT-DNA by 2.0 °C after incubation for 36 h at 37 °C.

DNA binding potential and cytotoxicity of newly designed pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers linked through a piperazine side-armed-alkane spacer

New pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers have been developed that are composed of two DC-81 subunits tethered to their C8 positions through piperazine moiety side-armed with alkaneoxy linkers (composed of 2–5 carbons). DNA thermal denaturation studies show that after 18 h of incubation with calf thymus DNA at a 1:5 ligand/DNA ratio, one of them, 6a, increases the Δ T m value by 24.0 °C. Thus, incorporation of a piperazine moiety instead of an inert alkanedioxy linker alone significantly enhances the DNA binding ability, and the analogous dimer 4 that lacks a piperazine moiety in the linker spacer elevates melting by only 15.1 °C under identical experimental conditions. This illustrates the effect of introducing a piperazine ring in the middle of such an alkanedioxy linker which produces several hydrophobic interactions and could also achieve a superior isohelical fit within the DNA minor groove. Interestingly, these dimers 6a– d are significantly more cytotoxic than 4 in a number of human cancer cell lines, in particular, compound 6c is highly potent for almost all the nine human cancer cell lines.

Formation of Supramolecular Structures between DNA and Starburst Dendrimers Studied by EPR, CD, UV, and Melting Profiles

Poly(amidoamine) starburst dendrimers (SBDs) form stable supramolecular structures (complexes) with DNA and confer protection against degradation by nucleases. Such properties make SBDs excellent candidates for application in gene delivery strategies. Formation of supramolecular structures by two generations of SBDs, namely 2SBD and 6SBD, with calf thymus DNA was examined at varying r = [SBD](surface groups)/[DNA](base pairs) through various physicochemical techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy (UV), circular dichroism (CD), DNA thermal denaturation studies (melting profiles), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR spectroscopy of nitroxide-labeled dendrimers provides information on the interactions between SBDs and DNA, whereas the other techniques mainly monitor the structural variations of DNA following formation of SBD−DNA complexes. At the lowest r values (r < 1), both dendrimers slightly affect DNA conformation within the general framework of B-type structure; minor stabilization effects of the double helix were detected through analysis of the melting profiles. When r increases, extensive precipitation of the SBD/DNA adducts takes place due to charge neutralization effects. A persistent opalescence of the solution prevents recording of CD spectra up to r = 100 for 2SBD and r = 200 for 6SBD. However, at these r values, EPR analysis indicates that a saturation of the interacting sites on DNA occurs which allows calculation of the formation constant of the SBD−DNA adducts. By further increasing the [SBD]/[DNA] ratio, DNA resolubilizes. At the high r values, both SBDs form stable soluble supramolecular structures with DNA due to a “salting in” effect. EPR, CD, and UV results allow us to propose a model for the formation of different supramolecular structures in the various r ranges.